Celgene plans real-world study using Apple's ResearchKit

Will
develop an iPhone app to assess burden
of chronic anaemia

Celgene is planning to use Apple's ResearchKit framework for an observational study into the burden of chronic anaemia in two blood disorders.

Working on the project with biomedical research organisation Sage Bionetworks, Celgene aims to collect difficult-to-quantify data in myelodysplastic syndromes and beta-thalassemia.

The partners' mobile study will also collect neurological assessments of patients using cognitive testing software from BrainBaseline, technology that allows self-assessment of cognitive performance.

Celgene said its app would additionally support patients living with their disease and allow them to understand their physical functioning and other symptoms of anaemia.

Michael Pehl, president of hematology and oncology for Celgene, said: "We stand at a point where technology is unlocking the ability to capture patient reported outcomes.

"Through our collaboration with Sage Bionetworks and the evolving capability of smartphones and wearables as robust data collection devices, we believe we will be able to provide important new insights for patients with MDS and beta-thalassemia."

The project will see Celgene and Sage work with patient groups the MDS Foundation and Cooleys Anemia Foundation on defining the right elements for the mobile app to capture in order to ensure it is relevant for patients.

Dr Lara Mangravite, president of Sage Bionetworks, said: "We are thrilled to partner with Celgene to explore the use of sensor-based technologies to quantify the daily burden of disease in patients with chronic anaemia. This is a first of its kind exploration from which we hope to gain insights that can be used to understand the impact of chronic anaemia."

ResearchKit helps users to gather data more frequently and more accurately from study participants using iPhone apps. The open source framework also allows those taking part in studies to review an interactive informed consent process, submit survey responses and choose how their health data is shared with researchers.

Researchers can also, with the user's permission, use ResearchKit to access data from Apple's Health iPhone app, opening up a potential treasure trove of real-time data on weight, blood pressure, glucose levels, and other data measured by third-party devices and apps.